Craftsman News Roundup

[M_George]

I can't post a link but look up Tool Teardowns on YouTube. He takes a look at the new Craftsman socket set.



No way to clean out or lubricate the ratchet mechanism improves the lifespan and durability of the tool?

I picked up a 60 year old SK ratchet at a yard sale a couple weeks ago. It wouldn't turn. I opened it up, cleaned out the old grease, re-lubed it, and it works like new. That's improving the lifespan of a tool.

I agree, I still use the same SK ratchet I've been using since 1972. Better still, SK still makes them!

 

[M6erfan]

Interesting toolbox...

Hard to tell but it looks like a lot of plastic (drawers).

 

[M_George]

Really!?! Who keeps a ******’ air cleaner in their toolbox!?! This is why Craftsman blows goats these days. I hate marketing pukes, who wouldn’t know a metric crescent wrench from a left handed screwdriver, trying to sell this **** to us.

Really, it doesn't look very practical unless your just a gloating tool polisher.

 

[M_George]

When the big companies went overseas, many of the smaller supporting companies that made many of the parts went with them. Hopefully when they start building them here, these smaller companies will follow them back.

 

[JiminAZ]

The interesting thing to me in that article was the CEO's comment that they couldn't allow Craftsman to fall into the hands of one of their competitors. He gets the power of the brand and how it could have hurt SBD.

I wouldn't hold out a lot of hope for a return to the glory days of Craftsman. I think they will roll out US made product where it makes sense, and use the brand for their own enrichment, however that shakes out. They certainly can look at how Sears botched it up and avoid that mistake. So there won't be a huge offshore Craftsman offering - that is a proven fail. But where they can rebrand existing product as Craftsman without diluting their existing brands - sure. Hence the DeWalt clone drivers. What will happen with hardline tools will be interesting to watch.

 

[PugetDude]

Your interpretation is incorrect.

The FTC publishes guidelines as to what constitutes Made in USA, Made in USA with global components, and Assembled in USA claims.

Violating the FTC guidelines leaves the manufacturer subject to deceptive trade practice charges and penalties.

There is not much grey area here.

Do a search if you want to be an informed consumer.

Finn, cut him some slack. He's Canadian, commenting on "Made in USA"

 

[dnschmidt]

I'll stick with my Chicom made Milwaukee Fuel stuff. It works perfectly and does what I want it to do. I've got at least 50 M18 batteries and I'm not throwing those away. Screwed together in the USA by a robot doesn't sound a whole lot different to me than screwed together in China by slave labor. Just one man's opinion.

 

[zendriver]

I'll stick with my Chicom made Milwaukee Fuel stuff. It works perfectly and does what I want it to do. I've got at least 50 M18 batteries and I'm not throwing those away. Screwed together in the USA by a robot doesn't sound a whole lot different to me than screwed together in China by slave labor. Just one man's opinion.

The irony of all this nonsense is, that many those new factories - manned by robots, will probably be owned by Chinese corporations.

https://money.cnn.com/2016/11/30/technology/chinese-manufacturers-come-to-america/index.html

The only real differences will be made in USA sticker and a higher price tag

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[WWheeler]

He may have engaged in some hyperbole but his general observation is correct. It isn’t just SBD or tool companies in general. The artistic people doing photo shoots, etc for marketing can’t ever seem to be bothered to ask someone who would know for a little advice to make things more realistic. [...]

No ****. The box doesn't appeal to me but how much better would it have looked if it had that entire Craftsman line of cordless tools w/ batteries and and chargers on that top shelf, and several wrench sets and socket strips and as many other tools organized on the pegboard as they could get to fit rather than what looks to be one ~12pc set stretched out to fill the entire space?

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

If you market the same stuff under several brand names do you sell more tools?

Not sure about tools but ask GM how this concept worked for them in selling cars.

 

[Y00PER]

Not sure about tools but ask GM how this concept worked for them in selling cars.

Might depend in how they're marketed. If they say, market Dewalt towards professionals, Craftsman towards weekend warriors, and say B&D to the occasional use home owner, it could in all reality be the exact same tool.

It's a little different scenario, but how much of Western Forges products were sold to vastly different markets, with widely varying prices, even though they were the exact same thing?

 

[Moparman390]

Now the website is starting to give you an idea of what they make and where. I just noticed this today and they are indicating that they will have more info tomorrow after the launch event.

https://www.craftsman.com/whereitsmade

 

[NUTTSGT]

Now the website is starting to give you an idea of what they make and where. I just noticed this today and they are indicating that they will have more info tomorrow after the launch event.

https://www.craftsman.com/whereitsmade

This box looks odd but I bet it's quite useful for the average home owner/DIYer.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-27-wide-4-drawer-tool-chest-red-and-black?taxon_id=3069

 

[M_George]

This box looks odd but I bet it's quite useful for the average home owner/DIYer.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-27-wide-4-drawer-tool-chest-red-and-black?taxon_id=3069

It looks just like the Husky box I bough a couple of years ago.

 

[L.Cheapo]

The auto industry used to or still has a number on % of North American parts in the vehicle. That is a better indicator of how imported it is. Canadian built cars may end up as very much an import if the NAFTA and tarriff situation is not resolved. Canada has very high duties, fees, tarriffs, etc. to keep US goods out. We have never reciprocated but that may soon change if Canada does not rethink it's policies. I became aware of the situation on this forum. Our Canadian members pay horrendous fees and inflated prices for US goods. Some US companies will not take Canadian orders; too much grief.

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Funny thing is...given the exchange rate...new USA made Snap On tools are significantly cheaper in Canada than the USA. Go figure!

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Might depend in how they're marketed. If they say, market Dewalt towards professionals, Craftsman towards weekend warriors, and say B&D to the occasional use home owner, it could in all reality be the exact same tool.

Agreed.

 

[Jtels85]

FYI, for those of you on Instagram, follow #craftsmanlaunch for more info. Might also work on Facebook...

 

[theoldwizard1]

Speaking of cordless drills/tools. How do they (batteries in particular) handle being in sub freezing temps for months on end? I'd love to have cordless stuff, especially a drill, but for 6+ months out of the year they would sit in my garage while I battle 300"+ of snow instead of making anything. I really don't have room in my house to be storing all kinds of batteries/chargers.

Leave the tools in the garage. Bring the batteries inside. Lithium batteries do NOT do well in cold weather. The good news is, when you using them they warm up ! If you are taking a break, bring the battery inside.

Below 0F ... not so sure !


I haven't been to the UP in several years and last time was only US 2 from Wisconsin to St. Ignace. Long time since I have been to the Keweenaw !

 

[Moparman390]

This box looks odd but I bet it's quite useful for the average home owner/DIYer.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-27-wide-4-drawer-tool-chest-red-and-black?taxon_id=3069

This is what they've done with their 26" line, discontinued the standard top and changed to the hutch style that's all the rage in homeowner boxes right now.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Lowes has had a few hand tool sets, wrenches, sockets, etc for awhile. They don't make this lifelong Craftsman fan happy !

Admittedly, 95%+ of my Craftsman hand tools are more than 30 years old, some as old as 50 ! I also have a several corded power tools also from the 70s/80s. Very happy with all of them. About the only thing I would add to my collection would be a set of long pattern double box end wrenches. Not matching my current wrenches would be a major turn off.

 

[Bighead38]

Leave the tools in the garage. Bring the batteries inside. Lithium batteries do NOT do well in cold weather. The good news is, when you using them they warm up ! If you are taking a break, bring the battery inside.

Below 0F ... not so sure !


I haven't been to the UP in several years and last time was only US 2 from Wisconsin to St. Ignace. Long time since I have been to the Keweenaw !

Lithium-ion cells are known for being cold-blooded. They lose all their juice as soon as the thermometer hits the freezing mark, but no longer. The new M18 HD batteries have the best cold-weather performance of any pack ever made, and keep churning out consistent power all the way down to 0F/-18C. Winter chills will no longer stop you from getting your best work done.

Heat won’t get to these packs either: the units stay up to 50% cooler than previous Milwaukee battery line. They run more efficiently through heavy applications; go ahead and push your cordless tools harder and longer than you ever have before

 

[DonglordActual]

My aunt worked in the DeWalt facility in Charlotte, NC. It is not just one minor step being done at those facilities. The motors are made at that facility for both brushed and brushless motors. It is automated and the machinery winds and builds the motors right there. The gears for power tools are made in another facility stateside. The most important thing they do is the quality control, in my opinion. It is like pulling teeth to get vendors to not try to pull some funny business when you do production in China.

https://toolguyd.com/dewalt-brushless-drill-building-and-factory-tour/
https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/93870-behind-the-scenes-at-dewalt

That facility has ~500 employees at it and operates every day. There's a lot more work going on than I would have thought with a company with such dubious claims of "American-made" products.

They got caught in 1999 by the FTC for lying about the origin of products.
https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cases/1999/06/stanleyworkscmp.htm
And again in 2006.
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/pre...ey-made-false-made-usa-claims-about-its-tools

I am holding out hope there will be a Craftsman wrench made in America once again. That would be the benchmark I would give Stanley. My guess is the new Craftsman wrenches will be from Taiwan like the old Kobalt (the new ones are mostly Chinese) and the current DeWalt wrenches. Please make me wrong.

EDIT

I would put money on the tool chest linked in here earlier will have the gimmick of a lot of those plastic drawers being able to be pulled out and swapped around and taken with you. The frameless drawers may indicate the frame is able to be swapped out to whatever you feel like.

 

[Y00PER]

I am holding out hope there will be a Craftsman wrench made in America once again. That would be the benchmark I would give Stanley. My guess is the new Craftsman wrenches will be from Taiwan like the old Kobalt (the new ones are mostly Chinese) and the current DeWalt wrenches. Please make me wrong.

I am guessing it will be Made in USA. I think SBD realizes how upset people are with foreign made Craftsman tools, especially their hand tools. They have everything in place already to make U.S. made hand tools, since they already have 2 brands doing just that.

I get that in today's environment it's not likely that we will see 100% U.S. Made power tools from anyone, so "with global materials" is better than made overseas, but hand tools are a different story. Hope the new hand tools are U.S.made, but if I was a betting man, my bet is that the hand tools will be Made "with global materials", as hard as that will be to fit on a 3/16 socket.....

 

[Moparman390]

USA sourced stuff is up on the website now. It's pretty much all the brushless power tools, an air compressor, and saw blades, think Lenox.

 

[Y00PER]

USA sourced stuff is up on the website now. It's pretty much all the brushless power tools, an air compressor, and saw blades, think Lenox.

I have been looking at it. Glad to see that some things, like the reciprocating saw blades are true Made in the USA. Hopefully the hand tools follow that lead

 

[Jtels85]

Some sneak peeks up on Instagram. Looks like a new style black and red screwdriver set and what looks like red handled pliers, but it’s a little hard to tell. Plenty of new power tools and some new levels!

 

[tjpavlov]

There's a cordless miter saw listed. That sounds interesting.

 

[WittHay]

My aunt worked in the DeWalt facility in Charlotte, NC. It is not just one minor step being done at those facilities. The motors are made at that facility for both brushed and brushless motors. It is automated and the machinery winds and builds the motors right there. The gears for power tools are made in another facility stateside. The most important thing they do is the quality control, in my opinion. It is like pulling teeth to get vendors to not try to pull some funny business when you do production in China.

https://toolguyd.com/dewalt-brushless-drill-building-and-factory-tour/
https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/93870-behind-the-scenes-at-dewalt

That facility has ~500 employees at it and operates every day. There's a lot more work going on than I would have thought with a company with such dubious claims of "American-made" products.

Thanks for the information about the DeWalt factory that employs 500 people, built in 2013

Here is a link to a article about the Lennox/ Irwin plant in East Long Meadow, MA that employs about 670 people and now makes some Craftsman products

https://www.masslive.com/business-news/index.ssf/2018/02/stanely_black_and_decker.html

Combined with the 620 people that work at the Sedalia,MO tool box plant thats a lot of people to make just consumer boxes, hole saws, saw blades and brushless tools. Sales or revenue must be good

 

[thooks]

The interesting thing to me in that article was the CEO's comment that they couldn't allow Craftsman to fall into the hands of one of their competitors. He gets the power of the brand and how it could have hurt SBD.

I wouldn't hold out a lot of hope for a return to the glory days of Craftsman. I think they will roll out US made product where it makes sense, and use the brand for their own enrichment, however that shakes out. They certainly can look at how Sears botched it up and avoid that mistake. So there won't be a huge offshore Craftsman offering - that is a proven fail. But where they can rebrand existing product as Craftsman without diluting their existing brands - sure. Hence the DeWalt clone drivers. What will happen with hardline tools will be interesting to watch.

Jim, I see you're new here. I've read several of your posts. I just want you to know that you're a breath of fresh air here. You have skills of old- you are able to compose good, complete sentences that make sense, articulate points very well and do all of this without the typical internet persona.

 

[Moparman390]

They're using a Hellcat in the promo video for the launch event, I approve.

 

[Moparman390]

Little nugget here:

"Stanley has brought a good chunk of the brand's manufacturing back to the United States (40% of the tools now made here, with a goal of reaching 70%) and will make a push into Lowe's."

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.th...-is-starting-to-pay-off-in-a-big-way-14685298

 

[JiminAZ]

thooks thank you. I give all the credit to old school teachers that beat that stuff into my pointed little head decades ago.

 

[Tom White]

Some sneak peeks up on Instagram. Looks like a new style black and red screwdriver set and what looks like red handled pliers, but it’s a little hard to tell. Plenty of new power tools and some new levels!

Does that screwdriver set look FatMax-ish to anyone else? I see they are also listing the traditional style screwdrivers on the Craftsman website.

I also wonder if all the pliers will be of the molded handle design? I always liked the dipped handle design better. Just a matter of feel and fit in my hands.

I know others may disagree, but I think the drills look really sharp.

 

[Moparman390]

Interview with the SBD CEO:

https://www.thestreet.com/amp/inves...an-from-sad-shape-to-made-in-america-14681930

 

[wyattstihl]

Does that screwdriver set look FatMax-ish to anyone else? I see they are also listing the traditional style screwdrivers on the Craftsman website.



I also wonder if all the pliers will be of the molded handle design? I always liked the dipped handle design better. Just a matter of feel and fit in my hands.



I know others may disagree, but I think the drills look really sharp.

I like the dipped as well but it looks like its molded. I don’t think the pliers or sockets/wrenches/ratchets are Made in USA, as well as some screwdrivers.


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[Tom White]

I like the dipped as well but it looks like its molded. I don’t think the pliers or sockets/wrenches/ratchets are Made in USA, as well as some screwdrivers.


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They are molded. That is for certain. As to the COO, it is going to take them some time to get more of the tools made domestically. I'm sure they are doing their best and will make progress with time.

 

[CJ7VFR]

There's a cordless miter saw listed. That sounds interesting.

I have the Craftsman C3 19.2V version they made a few years ago. It uses 7.25 inch blades, and came with a carbide tipped blade for general use.

I use it all the time for projects around the house, especially outside. It can cut up to a 2x6 straight, or up to a 2x4 on an angle or bevel. I can cut up to a 2x8 on an angle and a bevel and also 4x4's in half if I flip over the material and do two cuts carefully.

It is basically the same unit as the Ryobi 18V version, but painted black and red for Craftsman. It even has the exact same carrying handle.

Here is a stock photo of the one I have. I love it. I got it using some of my Sears points and it ended up costing me about $90.00. It is very light weight and portable, which make it great for just about anything, especially trim work and brick mold for doors and windows.

Jim

 

[Jtels85]

Since no one else has addressed the elephant in the room, I will.

Garage Journal didn’t see hardly any action at all today regarding the new Craftsman launch. Are you just disappointed or don’t really care?

I watched most of the Facebook live feed and was disappointed in the entire rollout. They barely showed anything that the majority of people wanted to see. The details and information were vague and the products looked mediocre at best. I wasn’t expecting a HUGE made in the USA extravaganza, but I was hopeful for a little more than this. The announcer didn’t even know the difference between a drill driver and an impact driver.

The website has been glitchy all day. Many of the tools aren’t even depicted yet. Details are extremely vague. I realize that these things take time, but they’ve had nearly 2 years.

I’m also not a fan of Richard Rawlings and Chip Foose. They’re only there for a paycheck. Their presence doesn’t make me want to buy Craftsman tools anymore than if they weren’t there. I know damn well they’re using tool truck brands to work on their cars, unless they have to use Craftsman for product placement during filming. Don’t try to pull a fast one on me.

All in all, on a scale of 1 to 10, I give today’s launch a 2. Poorly executed and they didn’t really show jack **** to the consumer who’s been waiting and waiting to see what Stanley Black & Decker planned to do with the brand. What a shame.

 

[wyattstihl]

Since no one else has addressed the elephant in the room, I will.

Garage Journal didn’t see hardly any action at all today regarding the new Craftsman launch. Are you just disappointed or don’t really care?

I watched most of the Facebook live feed and was disappointed in the entire rollout. They barely showed anything that the majority of people wanted to see. The details and information were vague and the products looked mediocre at best. I wasn’t expecting a HUGE made in the USA extravaganza, but I was hopeful for a little more than this. The announcer didn’t even know the difference between a drill driver and an impact driver.

The website has been glitchy all day. Many of the tools aren’t even depicted yet. Details are extremely vague. I realize that these things take time, but they’ve had nearly 2 years.

I’m also not a fan of Richard Rawlings and Chip Foose. They’re only there for a paycheck. Their presence doesn’t make me want to buy Craftsman tools anymore than if they weren’t there. I know damn well they’re using tool truck brands to work on their cars, unless they have to use Craftsman for product placement during filming. Don’t try to pull a fast one on me.

All in all, on a scale of 1 to 10, I give today’s launch a 2. Poorly executed and they didn’t really show jack **** to the consumer who’s been waiting and waiting to see what Stanley Black & Decker planned to do with the brand. What a shame.

I couldnt agree more. Most people dont buy Craftsman power tools. People buy Craftsman hand tools, that got brushed over.

I looked close at the available pictures on their website, and it seems all the new ratchets are the crappy designed ones in their gunmetal set, made overseas.


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[Jtels85]

Exactly! Why did they just brush over the hand tools?? That is what everyone has been eagerly waiting for!

I’m actually pretty angry about the whole thing and it takes a lot to get me fired up.

Where is the stuff made? Are tools going to be available only in sets or individually? Can we buy single sockets and ratchets? Details on specific hand tool features...

They dropped the ball.